Installing 8n8 in Docker on AlmaLinux: A Step-by-Step Guide

8n8 is a powerful open-source platform that enables seamless integration of web services and APIs. When combined with Docker and AlmaLinux, it provides a robust environment for containerized applications. This guide will walk you through the process of installing 8n8 using Docker on AlmaLinux, including advanced configuration options and troubleshooting techniques.

Why Use 8n8 with Docker on AlmaLinux?

8n8 (pronounced “eighty-eight”) is a modern workflow automation platform that allows developers to connect web services, APIs, and databases with visual workflows. When paired with Docker and AlmaLinux, it offers several advantages:

Containerization Benefits: Docker provides lightweight, portable containers that ensure consistent environments across development, testing, and production.
AlmaLinux Advantages: AlmaLinux, a Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) clone, offers enterprise-grade stability, security, and long-term support.
Scalability: The combination allows for easy scaling of 8n8 instances across multiple servers.
Security: Docker’s isolation features and AlmaLinux’s security updates create a secure environment for sensitive workflows.

Prerequisites

Before starting the installation, ensure you have the following:

AlmaLinux 8 or later: The latest version provides better compatibility with modern Docker features.
Docker Engine installed: Verify with docker --version. If not installed, follow the official documentation for AlmaLinux.
Basic command-line knowledge: Familiarity with Linux commands and Docker CLI is essential.
Internet connectivity: Required for pulling Docker images and accessing documentation.
Administrative privileges: You’ll need sudo access for many installation steps.

Installation Steps

1. Update AlmaLinux System

Before installing Docker and 8n8, ensure your system is up-to-date:

sudo dnf update -y
sudo dnf install -y dnf-utils

This command updates all packages and installs the dnf-utils package, which provides the dnf command for package management.

2. Install Docker Engine

Follow these steps to install Docker on AlmaLinux:

Add Docker Repository:

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo

Install Docker:

sudo dnf install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io

Start and Enable Docker Service:

sudo systemctl start docker
    sudo systemctl enable docker

Verify Installation:
```
sudo docker --version
```

3. Pull the 8n8 Docker Image

8n8 provides official Docker images on Docker Hub. Pull the latest version with:

sudo docker pull 8n8/8n8:latest

This command downloads the latest 8n8 image from the Docker registry. You can verify the image is available with:

sudo docker images | grep 8n8

4. Run the 8n8 Container

Use the following command to start the 8n8 container:

sudo docker run -d \
  --name 8n8-container \
  -p 8080:8080 \
  -v /path/to/data:/data \
  8n8/8n8:latest

Let’s break down this command:

-d: Runs the container in detached mode.
--name 8n8-container: Assigns a name to the container for easier management.
-p 8080:8080: Maps port 8080 on the host to port 8080 in the container.
-v /path/to/data:/data: Mounts a local directory to the container’s data directory for persistent storage.

5. Verify the Installation

After starting the container, verify it’s running with:

sudo docker ps | grep 8n8-container

If the container is running, access the 8n8 web interface by navigating to http://localhost:8080 in your browser. You should see the 8n8 dashboard.

Advanced Configuration Tips

1. Customizing Docker Daemon Settings

To optimize Docker performance on AlmaLinux, edit the Docker daemon configuration file:

Open the configuration file:
```
sudo nano /etc/docker/daemon.json
```

Add the following settings (adjust values as needed):

{
      "max-concurrent-downloads": 10,
      "max-timeout": "10m",
      "storage-driver": "overlay2"
    }

Restart Docker to apply changes:
```
sudo systemctl restart docker
```

2. Configuring Firewall Rules

Ensure your firewall allows traffic on port 8080:

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=8080/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

If you’re using a different firewall (e.g., iptables), add the following rule:

sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8080 -j ACCEPT

3. Setting Up Persistent Storage

For data persistence, create a dedicated directory for 8n8 data:

sudo mkdir -p /var/lib/8n8-data
sudo chown -R root:docker /var/lib/8n8-data

Update the Docker run command to use this directory:

-v /var/lib/8n8-data:/data

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Port Conflicts

If port 8080 is already in use, you’ll see an error. Resolve it by:

Stopping the conflicting service:
```
sudo systemctl stop 
```
Changing the exposed port in the Docker run command:
```
-p 8081:8080
```

2. Docker Logs and Debugging

Check container logs for errors:

sudo docker logs 8n8-container

If the container fails to start, use docker inspect to view detailed information:

sudo docker inspect 8n8-container

3. Network Issues

If you can’t access the 8n8 interface, check:

Firewall settings (as described earlier)
Container network configuration:
```
sudo docker network inspect bridge
```
Host machine’s network connectivity:
```
ping 8.8.8.8
```

4. Permission Errors

If you encounter permission issues, ensure the Docker daemon has access to the data directory:

sudo chown -R root:docker /var/lib/8n8-data

Best Practices for Production Use

For production environments, consider these additional steps:

Security Hardening: Disable unused ports, configure SELinux policies, and use TLS for secure connections.
Monitoring: Set up Prometheus and Grafana for container metrics and alerting.
Backup: Implement regular backups of the 8n8 data directory and Docker volumes.
Scaling: Use Docker Swarm or Kubernetes to manage multiple 8n8 instances.

By following this guide, you’ll have a fully functional 8n8 instance running on AlmaLinux with Docker. For any questions or assistance, feel free to reach out to our team via Contact us.

This post is written by a locally (ollama) running AI model Qwen3 using a n8n workflow to act as a blog agent, trying to explain his own setup.